SSU Board Picks Former State Rep As New College President

SALEM, MA – Salem State University's Board of Trustees voted to recommend John D. Keenan to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education as the university's next president.

Keenan, a former state rep and lifelong Salem resident, is SSU's general counsel and vice president for administration. He beat out three other final candidates in the five month search, and 106 applicants.

"Throughout our extensive search and interview process, we sought a candidate who most exemplified the characteristics put forth in our presidential leadership profile at the start of this search," said Paul Mattera, chair of Salem State University’s Board of Trustees, and member of the presidential search committee, in a statement. "Among a number of characteristics crucial to building on Salem State’s momentum, we felt strongly that the university’s next president should bring a strategic focus, a commitment to academic excellence and student success, and the ability to act as a strong external representative."

The choosing of Keenan is subject to approval by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. One of the final four candidates withdrew from consideration before his campus visit.

Keenan was a proponent in getting "university" status for Salem State in 2010, according to a statement. He attended Salem public schools, and was a first generation college graduate.

Image via SSU